Harare, 3 July 2025 — Zimbabwean authorities have arrested prominent journalist and editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, Faith Zaba, in what rights groups are calling a deepening assault on media freedom. Zaba was detained under the controversial Criminal Law, specifically charged under provisions related to the “undermining of the authority of or insulting the President.” The arrest took place early Tuesday morning, following the publication of a satirical piece. The state alleges that, that satirical piece was offensive.
“This is a clear case of abuse of the law to silence dissenting voices in the media,” said Sholom Takavengwa, Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform. “Faith Zaba’s arrest violates her right to freedom of expression. It is reflective of a broader pattern of arbitrary arrests aimed at stifling press freedom and curtailing accountability in government. The Criminal Law Act is increasingly being weaponised against journalists who are simply doing their job.”
Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform stands in solidarity with Faith Zaba and calls for the charges against her to be dropped.
